Food and Dining Briefs for July 22

Hotel in chocolate:
Valley View Casino
Executive Pastry Chef Daniel Sampson has constructed a model of the
casino's hotel, which will open in November, out of chocolate and
sugar. The chocolate hotel is more than 4 feet tall, 5 1/2 feet
long and almost 4 feet wide, and it took more than 100 hours to
construct. The sculpture is made of 132 pounds of white chocolate
and 16 pounds of cocoa butter, and is completed with windows and
detailing made of poured sugar and tempered chocolate. The
chocolate hotel will be in display through the real hotel's
opening. The hotel will feature 108 rooms and suites, a pool and
event center, and guests can begin making reservations Aug. 1; go
to valleyviewcasino.com or call 760-291-5500.

Harrah's buffet opens:
Harrah's Rincon in
Valley Center has opened its new $6.2 million buffet, which gives
diners more than 200 dining options (including a made-to-order
pasta station that has 655,360 possible combinations). Other
features are a Brazilian smoker, Tandoor oven, pho station,
home-style favorites, a carving station, dessert bar and more. The
buffet is open from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 to 9 p.m. Monday
through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 to 10 p.m. Friday,
9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 to 10 p.m. Saturday, and 9 a.m. to
3:30 p.m. and 4:30 to 9 p.m. Sunday. Prices range from $15.99 to
$26.99; go to harrahsrincon.com.

Back Alley Grill marks first anniversary:
To
celebrate its first anniversary, Back Alley Grill in San Marcos has
announced new hours, new menu additions and more. Owner J. Michael
Marx said the restaurant/bar behind Dogtopia at 925 W. San Marcos
Blvd. is now open Sundays from noon to sunset, and will host Monday
Night Football parties in September. The restaurant also now has a
pet-friendly patio, new lifeguard tower chairs and horseshoe pits.
And new additions to the menu include a Huki Lau Burger, Pulled
Pork (luau style or BBQ) and Island Cole Slaw Salad. New weekly
specials include Street Taco Tuesdays and Wing 'In it Wednesdays.
Marx said he's planning an anniversary luau party at the end of
August. Call 760-736-4400.

Smashburger to open two more locations:
Denver-based casual restaurant chain Smashburger will open its
second San Diego County outlet Aug. 5 in the Del Mar Village
shopping center at 1555 Camino Del Mar and its third Aug. 25 in the
Hazard Center in Mission Valley at 7676 Hazard Center Drive. The
first opened in La Jolla last spring. Smashburger is known for its
burgers and specialty items tailored to each of its markets,
including the San Diego Smashburger (with avocado and fresh
cilantro), Pacific Coast Wedge salad and selection of regional
microbrews and California wines. Visit smashburger.com.